Spinning reel line retainer



Jan. 5, 1965 c. s. GRIS 3,164,334

SPINNING REEL LINE RETAINER Filed Jan. 3, 1962 2 sheets-sheet 1 Jan. 5, 1965 c. s. GRIS 3,154,334

SPINNING REEL LINE RETAINER Filed Jan. 3, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. /0

Ce/esler Silvio Gris INVENTOR.

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United States Fatetlt O 3,164,334 SPINNING REEL LINE RETAINER Celestar Silvio Gris, 436 Fortier St., Kimberley, British Colunihia, Canada Filed 3, 1962, Ser. No. 164,005 4 Claims. (Ci. 242-84.*1)

This invention relates to a novel and useful .spinning reel line retainer means and more specifically to a adaptation which is primarily designed for support by a spinning reel shank and to serve the purpose of releasably and clampingly engaging the free end of the fishing line carried by the spinning reel in order that the fishing line will not become entangled when the spinning reel is not in use.

Quite often serious fishermen will carry tackle boxes with them when engaged in the sport of angling and among various other types of eXtra equipment carried in a tackle box is one or more spare reels. The fisherman oftentimes has use for a particular one of several different types of reels as WellV as a particular one of several different types of fishing lines. Accordingly, the serious angler usually carries several reels with different weight and type of fishing line wound thereabout. As the fisherman feels a different type of reel or line should be used, he changes to the desired type of reel or line and thus a tackle box can become seriously entangled with various different types of fishing line Wound about several different reels unless a means is provided for retaining the loose end f the fishing line in such a manner that it will not be able to unwind from the reel. In addition to providing means for retaining the loose end of a fishing line wound about a reel from unwinding from the reel, the means provided should be of a type which may be utilized quickly and with very little effort.

It is accordingly the main object of this invention to provide a spinning reel line retainer which may be readily secured to various types of spinning reels as well as other types of spinning reels and which may also be readily incorporated into a spinning reel during the manufacture of the latter and efficiently utilized by a fisherman for retaining the loose end of a fishing line and preventing the fishing line from unwinding from about the spool on which itis disposed.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a fishing line retainer which may be secured to a reel as van attachment therefor or incorporated thereinto in such a manner so as not to interfere with the ordinary operation of the reel.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a fishing line retainer in the form of an 'attachment for a reel which is constructed in a manner whereby it may be readily secured to various types of spinning reels.

A final object to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a spinning reel line retainer in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to Ilike parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary perspective view of la fishing rod shown with a conventional form of spinning reel mounted thereon and the line retainer of the instant invention mounted on `the shank of the spinning reel and being utilized to secure the loose end of the fishing line f.' ICC wound about the spinning reel in a manner whereby it will not become unwound from the reel; v

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational View of the line ret-rainer on somewhat of an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of line retainer which may be'constructed of mild steel or other simil-ar materials not known for their resilient properties and incorporating the use of a separate resilient clip for maintaining the line retainer mounted on the shank of a spinning reel;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan View of the embodiment y illustrated in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 7 7 of FIG- URE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the resilient clip utilized on the modified form of line retainer;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a shing rod having a spinning reel mounted thereon with a further modified form of the line retainer mounted thereon;

FIGURE l() is a front elevational View` of the line retainer illustrated in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 1l is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 1111 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mounting shank of a spinning reel showing a further modified form of line retainer which has been incorporated into the manufacture of the spinning reel;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 13 13 of FIGURE l2; and

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of the section line 14-14 of FIGURE 12.

As will be evident from the views of the drawing, four species or embodiments are disclosed, namely, FIGS. 1-4, FIGS. 5-8, FIGS. 9-11 'and FIGS. 12-14. The preferred embodiment of the overall concept is that utilizing a coil spring as an anchor or retainer for the terminal of the line as depicted in FIGS. 1-4, FIGS. 5-8 and FIGS. 12-14. Generically construed the foregoing preferred concept is characterized, by a spinning reel having 1a spool, more particularly a reel construction which is provided with a shank having bracket means which is attachable, in a generally well known manner to la fishing rod and the combination with the shank of a suitable coil spring, said spring being parallel to said shank, and means cooperatively associated with and projecting laterally from the .shank and embodying a pair of axially aligned socket members with the socket portions opposed to or facing each other, and said coil spring spanning the space between the socket members and having its ends fitting telescopically into the socket portions of said socket members.

Referring specifically to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 4) the numeral 10 generally designates a fishing rod to which a spinning reel generally referred to by the reference numeral 12 is secured. The spinning reel 12 includes a drum portion 14 about which one end of a length of fishing line 16 is wound and the reel 12 includes a shank portion generally referred to by the reference numeral 18 which supponts a mounting base 20 at one end. The line retainer of the instant invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 22 and with attenannessa tion now directed to FIGURES 2 through 4 of the drawings it will be noted that theretainer 22 includes a generally U-s'naped member reierred to in general by the referencev numeral 24 and including a pair of legs 26 and Zwhich are interconnected by means of a bight portion 3). t will be noted that the bignt portion 3@ is generally approximately three-quanter cylindrical in cross-section and that the legs 26 and 2S are panel-like and eachhas formed therein at their outer extremities a notch Swhich'divides Vthe outer end of each leg into two spaced end portions* 32 and 34. In addition, the U-shaped' member includes a notch 3e which opens away vfrom the' notchl and'divides the bight portion 3G into two axially spaced and .aligned recessed or socket-iike end portions SSand di), Y

The free ends 32 and 34 of the legs 2e and Z3 constitute opposed jaws or lgrips having V-shaped recesses opening toward each other which are referred to by the reference numeral d2 and are deiined by the end portions 52 and 34. in addition, the' socket members 35S and it? are crimped as at 44 and 46 respectively in order to form a pair of spaced axially aligned socket members. Acoiled spring d which is designed and adapted to parallel the supporting shank ll is in spaced parallelism in respect to thercoacting part of the shank and spans the space between the socket members and has its ends seated in the socket portions 'and held against accidental displacement by way of the indentations 4d and 46 as seen with greater' particularity in FIG. 3. Also from FIG; 3 of the drawings it wiil be noted that one end portion Sti of the spring 48 is stretched and that the rcmainder'of the spring 48 has its convolutions 52- disposed in line-accommodating andv gripping relation with each other in the manner shown.

The U-shaped member Z4 (FIG. 4) is constructed of resilient material such as spring steel in order that the free ends of the iegs 26 and 23 may be spread apart and clampingly engaged with the shank portion 13 of the reel 1.2'. In this manner, the shank portion .t8 is clampingly secured between the recesses 42 of the jaws or grips 32 and 34 and the line retainer Z2 is thus mounted on the shank portion 18. Vvhen it is desired to secure the free end of the line 16 to the retainer, it is merely necessary to lwedge the free end of the line between the convolutions 52 of the spring 4S which are disposed in surface-to-surface contacting relation with each other. In addition, as illustrated in FIGURE l, the free end of the line i6 may be wound several times about the re tainer 22 and the shank portion i@ in order that the springvli may be disposed in clamping engagement with various longitudinal spaced points on the line 16.

With `attention now directed to ElGURES 5 through 8 ofV the drawings it will be seen a modified form of line retainer which is generally referred to by the reference numeral 22 and is substantially identical to the line retainer 22 with the exception that it is Constructed of soft metal or other materials not known for their resiliency and is provided with a separate spring clip generally referred to by the reference numeral 54 for retaining the legs of the retainer 22' in clamping engagement with the `shank 13. As the retainer 22 is substantially identical to the retainer 22, similar components ofthe retainer 2.2 have been given numbers correspondring to those given to those components or the retainer 22.'

The spring clip generally referred to by the reference numeral 54 is generally C-shaped in cross-section including a pair of legs S6 and 53 which are interconnected by Vmeansof a semi-cylindrical bigbt portion 6i). The bight is engaged between lthe end portions 32 and 3ft while the spring ciip SLE is at the same time being move-d toward the end portions 3S' and 49.

With att-er on now directed to FiGU ES 9, l0 and l oi the drawings it will be seen a still further modirn of the ret incr which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 212". The retainer 22 includes a generaily U-shaped member referred to in generai by the reference numeral 24" that is provided with a pair of legs 26" and The legs 26" and 25" each h e a notch 3i" formed therein defining two end poictions 32" and 3ft" on cach leg ftd and 28". tion, each of the legs 26 and d" includes a recess 66 and it wiil be noted that the recesses 66 open toward each other for embracingiy engaging opposite sides of the shank oortion d3 to which the U-shaped member 24" is sect-red. ln addit" 4 each of the legs Die and 2S" is apertnred as at "FQ and a fastener 712 is secured between the legs 26 anY 25 comprising bracing means requiyaiit to spring clip Sli which also comprises bracing means.

The bight portion 7d of the U-shaped member 2d" is cer"i'aily apertured and a Y* 5 ot resiiiet disks 76 and disposed in side-by-sie eiation are secured thereto by means of a shank type fasnncr 3S. Each of the disks has an outer peri heini portion 2. which is iateraily oiset apertared portion thereof `and the reiative to centr i outer peripherai portions of the or are in surface-to-surace contacting relation. The fastener secures the center portions of the disks 7 6 and. 73 closer ative to cach enter periphcrai portion thereof are resiliently arg i into {ri-tional engagement with each other. Between the outer peripheral portions S?. and the ycentrally apertured portions of the disks 'i6 and 7S, each disk is provided h an iar recess S3 and the recesses 3 open to 'fard cach other. lt will be noted from FGURES 9 and l0 that the disk 7d includes a generaiiy radi ily outwardly projecting hook portion 3d and it may be seen that Lnis 'nook portion is utilized to si line t intermediario its c end oi the fishing line $5 is "=iacen.t center portions of the s "i6 and 7d. lt wiii or course be noted that the terminai end portion of the line @d wiii be irictionally other whereind the .s 232 of the disks and that be portion of the line en immediateiy adjacent the hooked portion 34 will also be simii rly fricionaily engaged by the line retainer 2d.

With attention now directed to FGURES l2 to 14 of the drawings there wiil be seen a stiil further modified form oi line retainer generally referred to by the reference numeral W. The line retainer 9) is incorporated into the manufacture of the shank portion 92 of the reel generally referred to by the reference. numeral 94 and it wiil be noted that the shank portion 92 has a laterally opening notch 95 formed therein which defines two outstanding aligned lugs or shoulders 9 and Miti. A recess is formed in each oi the shouiders 9S and liti@ to denne and provide sockets and the opposite ends of a coiled spring 10d (FlG. i3) are seated and thus anchored in the sockets in the manner shown. As in the case with the fasteners or attachments Z4 and 2li the spring ldd is stretched at one end as at ldd and has the convolutions itis of the spring iti/iat that one end of the spring spaced apart while the remaining convolntions 1.63 disposed between the shoulders 93 and le@ are disposed in surface-to-surface contacting reiation with each other. It is believed readily apparent that the operation ot the retainer Sd is substantially identical to `the operation of the retainers 2d and 24.

As previously set forth, while the various forms of line retainers disclosed herein have been illustrated being used in conjonction with a spinning reel, it is to be noted that the iine retainers may also be used in conjunction with other types of reels.

in addi- The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modiiications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A retainer for the free end portion of a iishing line when the line is not being used; said retainer comprising an adapter member generally U-shaped and including a bight portion interconnecting a pair of opposed legs, said bight portion embodying a pair of spaced axially aligned socket members, a coil spring spanning the space between said socket members and having its ends connected operatively with the socket portions thereof, a spring clip having portions thereof cooperable with said legs, the free end portions of said legs being provided with V-shaped jaws and said jaws being releasably engageable with the shank of a shing reel.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein said clip comprises a member which is C-shaped in crosssection, the bight portion thereof being provided at ends with keeper notches constituting keeper seats and portions of said jaws contiguous to edge portions of the respectively cooperating legs being fitted releasably in their respective keeper seats.

3. in combination, a spinning reel shank designed and adapted to be mounted for use on a fishing rod, a fishing line retainer designed and adapted to provide a conveniently accessible place for temporarily attaching a free end portion of said fishing line when the latter is not being used, said line retainer embodying a pair of coplanar longitudinally spaced socket members carried by and lateral to the lengthwise axis of said shank, the opposed faces of said members providing cooperating sockets, and a coil spring parallel with an adjacent to said shank and having opposite end portions thereof seated telescopically and retained in the respectively cooperating sockets, said coil spring providing selectively usable convolutions which may be singly and collectively used for placement of the free end portion of said line therebetween to be frictionally gripped thereby.

4. In combination, a mounting shank designed and adapted to support a spinning reel and having means cooperable therewith for attachment to the shank of a fishing rod, a line retainer adjacent to and cooperable with said shank and providing a convenient place for attaching the otherwise free loose end of the iishing line thereto when the line is not being used, said line retainer comprising a one-piece generally U-shaped member embodying a bight portion and a pair of opposed legs joined to and cooperable with said bight portion, said U-shaped member being constructed of resilient material and said legs having free end portions provided with pairs of oppositely disposed V-shaped jaws designed and adapted and simultaneously and conformably gripping intervening portions of said shank and thus mounting said U-shaped member on and alongside the shank, said bight portion embodying a pair of duplicate axially aligned socket members, said socket members being possessed of inherent resiliency suflicien-t to resiliently urge said legs and also said jaws toward each other, the jaws yieldingly gripping said shank and detachably supporting the U-shaped member thereon, and a coil spring parallel with adjacent lengthwise edge portions of said legs and spanning they space between said socket members and having end portions thereof fitting telescopically and retentively into their respective socket members.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 399,857 Emmen; Mar. 19, 1889 2,597,836 Klie May 20, 1952 2,763,083 Lenz Sept. 18, 1956 2,825,992 Miller Mar. 11, 1958 2,846,804 Elliott Aug. 12, 1958 3,051,404 Ritchey Aug. 28, 1962 

3. IN COMBINATION, A SPINNING REEL SHANK DESIGNED AND ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED FOR USE ON A FISHING ROD, A FISHING LINE RETAINER DESIGNED AND ADAPTED TO PROVIDE A CONVENIENTLY ACCESSIBLE PLACE FOR TEMPORARILY ATTACHING A FREE END PORTION OF SAID FISHING LINE WHEN THE LATTER IS NOT BEING USED, SAID LINE RETAINER EMBODYING A PAIR OF COPLANAR LONGITUDINALLY SPACED SOCKET MEMBERS, CARRIED BY AND LATERAL TO THE LENGTHWISE AXIS OF SAID SHANK, THE OPPOSED FACES OF SAID MEMBERS PROVIDING COOPERATING SOCKETS, AND A COIL SPRING PARALLEL WITH AN ADJACENT TO SAID SHANK AND HAVING OPPOSITE END PORTIONS THEREOF SEATED TELESCOPICALLY AND RETAINED IN THE RESPECTIVELY COOPERATING SOCKETS, SAID COIL SPRING PROVIDING SELECTIVELY USABLE CONVOLUTIONS WHICH MAY BE SINGLY AND COLLECTIVELY USED FOR PLACEMENT OF THE FREE END PORTION OF SAID LINE THEREBETWEEN TO BE FRICTIONALLY GRIPPED THEREBY. 